Imperial Beach Pier Surf Guide
Surf spot guide
Ideal Surf Conditions
Swell Direction
W, NW, SW, S
Wind
East.
Surf Height
Shoulder high to overhead.
Tide
Mid.
Imperial Beach Pier Surf Guide
IB, as it's known, breaks year-round and can hold some of the best sandbars in San Diego County. Southwest swells are received better here than most any spot in central San Diego, making it a good summertime alternative to Mexico's beaches. Medium tides work best. The shape and location of sandbars vary: sometimes it's hotter near the pier, and sometimes it's better farther south. The very end of Seacoast Drive is a popular spot. There's plenty of public parking, and, south of that, sand and ocean to one side, and wetlands to the other. Note: OB is home to some of the dirtiest water in the country, to the point that it's been closed for multiple years at a time due to bacteria.
Ability Level
All Abilities
Beginner to advanced.
Local Vibe
Doable
Protective when on.
Crowd Factor
Mellow
Spread out.
Spot Rating
Fun
6
Shoulder Burn
Light
Minor when small; tough when bigger.
Water Quality
Dirty
Generally very bad.
Hazards
Possibly the most polluted beach in the state.
Bring Your
Shortboard, Bodyboard, Skimming, Bodysurfing, Fish, Funboard, Longboard
Access
Right there.
Bottom
Sand.
Best Season
Year-round.
Do you have local knowledge about Imperial Beach Pier?
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